BANGKOK: The investment community will have a glimpse of the future direction of Malaysia under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak when he delivers a speech at the Fifth Invest Malaysia conference on June 30.

CIMB Group chief executive Datuk Seri Nazir Razak said while the prime minister had talked about stimulus packages, the conference would provide him with the best platform to deliberate on his long-term vision and economic transformation of the country.

“The investment community is excited about the prospect of meeting the new leader. This will be his first speech to the investment community... it’s important to listen what he has to say,” said Nazir.

Speaking to reporters after delivering a keynote address at the Third Euromoney Thailand Investment Forum here yesterday, Nazir said the conference was timely as it coincided with the appointment of a new leader, new transformation agenda and the need to combat the economic crisis.

The two-day conference, sponsored by Bursa Malaysia and CIMB and supported by the Capital Market Development Fund, is expected to attract about 500 people, including regulators, market players, and local and foreign fund managers.

Asked about Najib’s leadership impact on the country’s economy, Nazir said his elder brother was still “in his early days”.

This article appeared in The Edge Financial Daily, June 10, 2009.